Recently redesigned and featuring the Mazda-developed SKYACTIV® TECHNOLOGY, the 2014 Mazda3, Mazda6 and CX-5 today earned a "Top Safety Pick+" distinction from the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety
(IIHS). Only 22 vehicles earned a Top Safety Pick+ award, with the
Mazda brand garnering the second-highest number of safety honors.
"A redesign is not simply a matter of changing a vehicle's sheet
metal draping but involves dramatically altering its insides, outsides
and everything in between to make that vehicle not only look great but
be more efficient, more powerful and, most importantly, safer," said Jim O'Sullivan,
president and CEO, Mazda North American Operations (MNAO). "With our
new fleet of SKYACTIV vehicles, the 2014 Mazda3, Mazda6 and CX-5 were
created to be the best in their segments from fuel economy and safety to
dynamics and performance, and having earned Top Safety Pick+
distinctions is further proof to their success."
New criteria were administered by the IIHS this year. A Top Safety
Pick award requires a "Good" performance in the Institute's moderate
overlap front, side, roof strength and head restraint tests and, for the
first time, requires "Good" or "Acceptable" performance in the small
overlap front test that was introduced in 2012. The same level of
performance in those tests, along with at least a "Basic" rating for
front crash prevention, is required for the highest accolade of Top
Safety Pick+.
Ratings for the five crash impact tests are Good, Acceptable,
Marginal and Poor. Ratings for crash prevention are Superior, Advanced,
Basic and NA (not applicable). The 2014 Mazda3 and CX-5 both earned a
Good rating for all crash impact tests and an Advanced rating for front
crash prevention. The 2014 Mazda6 also received an Advanced rating for
front crash prevention and a rating of Good for all crash impact tests
while earning a grade of Acceptable in the small overlap test. For more
information on these ratings, visit www.iihs.org.
All-new from the ground up for the 2014 model year, the Mazda3
compact car and Mazda6 mid-size sedan both feature an exceptional level
of standard equipment and also offer unexpected features within their
segments with all-new safety and in-car technologies. This includes the
capacitor-based regenerative engine braking system known as i-ELOOP and MAZDA CONNECT™,
a next-generation driving-focused in-vehicle connectivity system that
also features an innovative Active Driving Display. While MAZDA CONNECT is currently only available on the Mazda3, i-ELOOP is a segment-exclusive technology for both the Mazda3 and Mazda6.
Available in two body styles, pricing for Mazda3 starts at $16,945 MSRP for four-door models and $18,945
MSRP for five-doors. Featuring a standard SKYACTIV-G 2.0-liter
gasoline engine (155 horsepower, 150 lb-ft of torque) or optional
SKYACTIV-G 2.5-liter (184 horsepower, 185 lb-ft of torque), 2.0L models
can be configured with either a SKYACTIV-MT six-speed manual
transmission or a SKYACTIV-Drive six-speed automatic. Models with the
2.5L are currently only available with the automatic. The manual
transmission has been confirmed to be offered on 2.5L models at a later
date. Both engine displacements are available for either body style.
Mazda3 also offers an EPA-estimated highway fuel economy of up to 41
mpg, one of the best in the segment.
The 2014 Mazda6 starts at $20,990 MSRP
and is currently equipped with a SKYACTIV-G 2.5L engine, and can be
paired with either the manual or automatic transmission. Similar to its
fuel-efficient smaller sibling, Mazda6 offers best-in-class highway
fuel economy with an EPA estimate of up to 40 mpg.
Redesigned for the 2013 model year, CX-5 was the first Mazda to
feature the full suite of SKYACTIV technologies and the all-new design
language known as KODO "Soul of Motion". Starting at $21,395
MSRP, the CX-5 also offers an EPA-rated best-in-class highway fuel
economy amongst its non-hybrid competitors. CX-5 is available with
either the SKYACTIV-G 2.0L or 2.5L engine and can be had equipped with
either transmissions.
All vehicles feature a suite of active-safety pre-crash detection systems collectively known as i-ACTIVSENSE.
These technologies use sensing devices such as milliwave radars and
cameras to support the driver in recognizing hazards, avoiding
collisions and minimizing damage should accidents occur. While these
systems will not eliminate accidents, their intent is to minimize them
and reduce the severity of a crash.
The features available under i-ACTIVSENSE for North America are:
- High Beam Control – The system automatically switches the headlamps between high and low beams.
- Blind Spot Monitoring – This safety confirmation system detects
objects located in blind-spot areas to the sides and rear of the vehicle
and issues a visual alert within the outside mirrors for the driver to
see. Should the turn signal be on for the direction in which the
"blind" object is located, audible beeps will alert the driver.
- Rear Cross Traffic Alert – Using the same sensor as Blind Spot
Monitoring, this system detects and informs the driver of any vehicle
approaching from the side while the driver is reversing out of a parking
space.
- Lane Departure Warning System – This system monitors the lane
markings on the road and issues a warning to the driver when it predicts
that the vehicle is going to depart from its lane unintentionally.
- Forward Obstruction Warning – This system monitors the road ahead
and issues both audible and visual alerts to help the driver take
evasive action when it determines a high risk of collision to exist.
FOW operates when traveling between speeds of 9 and 92 mph.
- Smart City Brake Support – When traveling at speeds of less than 19
mph, SCBS helps prevent or minimize a collision with a vehicle. Should
the imbedded laser sensor detect an object, and the system calculates
there may be a high risk for collision, the brake pedal travel is
reduced in order to hasten braking. Should the driver fail to perform
an avoidance maneuver, the system will activate an automatic braking
function.
- Mazda Radar Cruise Control – The system determines the difference in
speed and distance to the vehicle in front and will automatically
adjust the cruising speed in order to maintain a safe distance. (Not
available on CX-5.)
- Adaptive Front-lighting System – Optimizes distribution of light
from the headlights in accordance to driving circumstances. Depending
on vehicle speed and steering input, AFS turns the low-beam headlights
up to 15 degrees into the direction the driver intends to travel.
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The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) noted in their most recent Light Duty Fuel Economy Trends
report that Mazda Motor Corporation is the most fuel-efficient auto
manufacturer in the U.S. With the highest fleet-wide adjusted fuel
economy performance of 27.1 miles per gallon (MPG), and the lowest CO2 emissions of 328, Mazda led the chart for model year (MY) 2012.
While still retaining the fun-to-drive characteristics for which
Mazda is known, the company had the second largest increase (2.1 MPG) in
the report over their MY 2011 MPG (25.0). Mazda has achieved the
highest fuel efficiency of any other mainstream automotive manufacturer
in the industry, without offering a hybrid or electric vehicle. Mazda's unique SKYACTIV® TECHNOLOGY
has made this level of efficiency possible. SKYACTIV is a suite of
component and engineering technologies that incorporate ultra-high
compression ratio gasoline engines, super-efficient manual and automatic
transmissions, lightweight chassis and body components, reduced rolling
resistance and low-drag body styling.
"Mazda has long had a history of doing things differently, and SKYACTIV TECHNOLOGY is no exception," said Jim O'Sullivan,
president and CEO, Mazda North American Operations. "While other
manufacturers have turned their attention to hybrids and electric cars,
we chose to focus on perfecting the base technology used in more than 90
percent of the cars and SUVs sold today: the internal combustion
engine. Through analyzing and refining this technology, as well as every
other component in a modern automobile, Mazda has been able to achieve
class-leading fuel economy in nearly every segment it competes in, and
bring that technology – at an affordable price – to every customer."
Mazda's SKYACTIV TECHNOLOGY brought the company to the forefront of fuel efficiency through such vehicles as the all-new 2014 Mazda3, the 2014 Mazda6, and the 2014 CX-5.
Mazda3 reaches near best-in-class fuel economy with 41 highway MPG when
equipped with the i-ELOOP energy regeneration system. Mazda6 equipped
with i-ELOOP achieves class- leading fuel economy with 40 highway MPG.
At 35 MPG, CX-5 still retains the title of the highest highway MPG of
any SUV in North America, including hybrids.
Come test drive a Mazda today at Liberty Mazda and be sure to like us on Facebook and follow us on Twitter for further news and updates.
Motorsports and Mazda are so synonymous one seemingly cannot live
without the other, less yin-and-yang and more peas-and-carrots. And
while the brand may never disconnect from its Zoom-Zoom roots (nor want
to), competitive aggression on the race track need not translate into
gritty, abrasive design. There can be finesse in fire, beauty in
brawn. This was the inspiration behind the latest concepts from Mazda
North American Operations' (MNAO) Irvine, Calif.-based
design team. The four vehicles made their official debuts today at the
annual Specialty Equipment Market Association (SEMA) Show. All-new
2014 Mazda3 and Mazda6
vehicles were utilized to showcase distinctively fresh designs paying
homage to the brand's racing heritage and awakened design direction.
"It's no secret Mazda is going through a design evolution," said Derek Jenkins, design director, MNAO. "With bolder lines and stronger character features stemming from the 'KODO – Soul of Motion'
design language, Mazda's inherent driving dynamics are becoming more
and more visually clear. Instead of only being a behind-the-wheel
experience, the Zoom-Zoom genetic code is further being embraced, not
buried, through increasingly expressive vehicle design."
Club Sport Concepts
Both a Mazda3 and Mazda6 were given "Club Sport" treatments, a
motorsports-inspired motif of neutral grays, blacks and reds represented
in not-so-subtle angular lines reminiscent of a car speeding past your
line of sight. Featuring a Mazda Design-exclusive Composite Grey finish
and Brilliant Black rooftop, the Club Sport 6 Concept is outfitted with
a 14.0:1 low-compression SKYACTIV-D
2.2-liter clean diesel engine. Although this vehicle features a
European-specification engine with an output of 129 kW at 4,500 rpm and
420 nM of torque at 2,000 rpm, the North American clean diesel will be
available in late spring of next year. The SKYACTIV-D 2.2L engine was
most recently seen on U.S. shores during the final season of the
GRAND-AM Rolex GX Series,
where the rookie Mazda6 took the checkered flag nine straight times and
finished the year with manufacturers and rookie-of-the-year driver's
championship honors.
The exterior surface is painted with custom Club Sport graphics,
featuring varying line frequency and width to create a sense of
movement. A Mazda Design custom accessory aero kit was installed, which
features front, rear and side diffusers as well as a rear spoiler – all
in a contrasting Brilliant Black gloss. The Club Sport 6 sits on Rays
57 Motorsport G07FXX 20-inch Black and Machining-colored 10-spoke wheels
wrapped in sticky Yokohama S.drive® 245/35R20 tires. Suspension is
courtesy of an H&R spring kit while custom Brembo two-piece,
six-piston 380x32 drilled brake rotors and a Racing Beat exhaust add the
final sporty touches.
The Club Sport 3 Concept features many similarities with its Mazda6
big brother but with a few extra robust features. With a Mazda
Design-exclusive Slate White exterior finish, this five-door is
furnished with a more ambitious Club Sport paint scheme. Metallic
Silver lines trace along the arches of the wheels, the base of the side
skirts and the contours of the doors and C-pillars. Glossy Light Gray
and matte Black Mica mimic some of these patterns but with louder, wider
direction. Vibrant Red vinyl follows along with thin lines, providing
contrasting texture and dynamic flow. The only other non-painted
surfaces are the dramatic alpha and numeric Black vinyl call-outs of the
fuel door, tire size and SKYACTIV®[1] TECHNOLOGY pronounced across the hood.
Like the Club Sport 6, the Mazda3 variant features a Mazda
Design-developed accessory aero kit which adds the body
color-contrasting Brilliant Black front, rear and side diffusers along
with a new rear spoiler style. Designed in North America,
this aero kit will be made available for all 2014 Mazda3 vehicles sold
worldwide. Pricing will be announced closer to its on-sale date.
Equipped with a SKYACTIV-G
2.5-liter gasoline engine, the Club Sport 3 features a modified
SKYACTIV-Drive six-speed manual transmission derived from Mazda's CX-5
compact SUV. Using a short 4.7:1 final drive ratio, the gearing is 20
percent shorter than in a SKYACTIV-G 2.0-liter-equipped Mazda3. The
Club Sport 3 also utilizes a Wavetrac® helical limited-slip differential
for additional torque. Added performance features include a CUSCO
coilover kit, a Racing Beat performance exhaust and Brembo two-piece,
six-piston 380x32 drilled brake rotors. Rays 57 Motorsport G07FXX
20-inch Black and Machining-colored 10-spoke wheels are packaged with
Bridgestone Potenza™ RE-11 235/35R19 road-gripping performance tires.
Not to be outdone, the Club Sport 3's interior offers its own "pop"
with Red aniline leather throughout – seat trim, door panel inserts,
center console, IP decor and a steering wheel stripe. Premium Black
leather is reserved for the steering wheel, arm rest, emergency brake
and shifter boot. The front seats feature perforated leather within the
seat bolsters with a diffusing line pattern in the seat back creating a
"3," identical to the Metallic Silver numeral painted onto the
vehicle's driver's side door. Stitching patterns also spared no expense
with trapezoidal Momo-inspired contrast-Red stitching on the steering
wheel and double-stitched tonal deck seams on the doors, seats and IP.
The steering wheel features a single Red aniline leather strip at the
minimalist but top-of-mind high-noon position.
Vector 3 Concept
Shifting gears from fast to fashion, the Vector 3 Concept offers a
different take on controlled aggression. First on the exterior, the
base color is Soul Red, a stock Mazda hue as sultry and intense as the
certain little black dress that takes your breath away. Derived from
Soul Red is a Mazda Design custom blend of Deep Crimson in varying
shades of depth to highlight the "fractured line" treatment of the paint
finish's vector pattern. Following the form in which reflections
bounce off the vehicle's KODO design facets, the vector shapes of
variable length and width are identical on other side of the concept
car. Although a pattern inspired from the runways of the fashion elite,
the Vector 3 hones its attitude from the world of active lifestyle and
performance wear. Fitting like a stylish pair of cross-trainers, the
Vector 3 offers little fuss but commands plenty of attention.
A set of Rays Volk Racing Original G25 19-inch wheels are encased in
road-hugging Yokohama S.drive® 225/40R19 performance tires. Other
performance features include an H&R spring kit and Brembo two-piece
custom four-piston 365x29 drilled rotors.
Ceramic 6 Concept
Continuing on the theme of uncompromised performance draped with
unconventional yet beautiful design enters the Ceramic 6 Concept. While
similar to the Vector 3 in that its design pattern is identical on
either side, this also is where the likeness ends. And where the Club
Sport concept vehicles emphasized their racing heritage, the Ceramic 6
focuses on racing patterns.
The Ceramic 6's exterior finish is an eponymous Ceramic White
littered with Taupe Silver accent stripes. Such as the linear frequency
patterns found on the likes of couture dresses and flowing fabrics,
Ceramic 6's garb radiates a presence of serenity and pureness. Using a
base metallic followed by a satin quality clear paint, the vehicle's
matte white finish was achieved.
Matching its accent lines Ceramic 6 rides on Rays Volk Racing
Original G25 10-spoke, 20-inch wheels finished in Taupe Silver.
Performance accessories include an H&R spring kit, a Racing Beat
custom dual-exhaust and custom Brembo two-piece, six-piston 380x32
drilled rotors.
The interior resembles something out of a Milan
fashion studio with premium soft leathers, intricate stitching and
overlapping weave patterns. Easily an outfit that can be presented on
the runway, the Ceramic 6 further distances itself from the Club Sport
6. Where the Club Sport represented motorsports and historical drives,
the Ceramic 6 is reminiscent of Rodeo Drive. Yet as dissimilar in
design as the two mid-size sedans are, no one can deny that they remain
genetic twins – built to perform and handle roads with prowess,
regardless the exterior's cloak.
Featuring supple full-grain leather all around, the White presents a
canvas clean in appearance that boldly complements the dark interior
features such as the premium Black leather of the steering wheel, arm
rests, emergency brake and center console. Accented metallic details
provide a warm transition between the tones. Wrapped in Black leather,
the steering wheel displays Light White Momo-style stitching and
finished with a matching leather strip at the high-noon position.
Comprising the front and rear seat inserts are interwoven light and
dark White leather while hand-sewn Burgundy stitching further highlights
the dynamic contrasting design. Light White leather inserts featuring
the same hand-sewn Burgundy stitching pattern adorn the doors and is
featured along the instrument panel decor in the same fashion.
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